DE9400285U1 - Video game device operated by coins or tokens - Google Patents

Description

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Coin or token operated video game device

The invention relates to a video game device which can be operated by means of coins or tokens according to the preamble of the main claim.
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,Play equipment of this type has been known for a long time in various forms.

All of these devices have an independent video control unit, via which the respective game system can be displayed on the associated screen, which is designed as an electron beam tube, a liquid crystal display or a similar display device. In addition, such devices have storage means for storing the game system and operating elements for controlling and influencing the game process, which are usually arranged in the form of a console. The games are started by inserting coins or tokens.

Furthermore, home video game devices are known that can be connected to a television, where the video games themselves are stored as programs on a program cassette, which is inserted into a corresponding cassette slot in the home video game device.

The invention was based on the object of proposing a video game device that can be operated using coins or tokens and that has a conventional home video game device as a central control unit, on which it is possible to play the device for a limited period of time.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of the main claim in conjunction with the generic term. Advantageous further developments and improvements are possible according to the subclaims.

The solution according to the invention is distinguished from the prior art by the fact that a conventional home video device is provided in the housing as a central control unit, which is connected on the input side to the

Control device for controlling and influencing the game and is connected to the screen on the output side. Furthermore, the invention provides that this home video device is connected via a further input to the output of an additional timer circuit, which in turn is connected on the input side to the output of the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit.

According to a first advantageous development, it can be provided that the additional timer circuit switches the central control unit of the home video device after input and acceptance of at least one sufficient stake in the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit into a ready-to-play state for a first predetermined period of time, the size of which depends on the stake entered. After expiration of this first predetermined period of time, the current, but now interrupted, game state is maintained for a second predetermined period of time, in which at least one further sufficient stake can be entered into the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit, so that the interrupted game can be continued. After unsuccessful expiration of this second predetermined period of time, the central control unit of the home video device is returned to a starting position, so that this results in a reset to the start of the game.

According to a further advantageous design variant, it is possible for the housing, in which at least the home video device, the screen and the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit are arranged, to have an additional opening on the front, through which a memory unit of the home video device, in which the game system is stored, can be changed from the outside and without opening the housing. This makes it easy to implement different game systems in one and the same device. If, for example, the current game system proves to be less or no longer successful, it can be replaced simply by exchanging the memory unit for a new one.

To avoid manipulation or unauthorized changes to the storage units, it may also be provided that the additional opening in the

Housing of the video game device through which the storage unit can be exchanged with the game system, secured by means of a lockable cover.

The solution according to the invention will be explained in more detail below using an example embodiment and the drawings. Here:

Fig. 1: Front view of a video game device designed according to the invention;
Fig. 2: Allocation of the main functional groups.

According to the illustration in Fig. 1, the video game device according to the invention consists of a housing 1 in which the screen 2, the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit 3, the conventional home video device 4 with the removable storage unit 6 in which the game system is stored and the timer circuit 7 are arranged. In addition, a control device 8 accessible from the outside is provided on the housing 1, by means of which the game sequence can be controlled and influenced.

The storage unit 6 can be easily replaced from the outside without opening the device via an additional opening 5 in the housing 1, so that a different game system can be installed without great effort if necessary.

To avoid manipulation or unauthorized replacement of the storage units 6, it can also be provided that the additional opening 5 in the housing 1 of the video game device, through which the storage unit can be replaced with the game system, is secured by means of a lockable cover (not shown).

The basic principles of how the video game device works will be described below using Fig. 2.

By entering means of payment into the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit 3, which are acceptable and sufficient for at least one game, the central control unit of the home video device 4 is switched to a ready-to-play state for a first period of time via the timer circuit 7.

state, for this purpose the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit 3 is connected on the output side to the input of the timer circuit 7 and this in turn is connected with its output to the first input of the home video device 4.
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The length of time for which the home video device 4 is ready to play depends on the entered bet.

After the game has started, its course can now be influenced by means of the control device 8, which is connected with its output to a second input of the home video device 4.

The course of the actual game, as well as all information required for the game, are shown on the screen 2, which is connected on the input side to the output of the home video device 4.

If a game and/or the first period for which the entered payment methods were sufficient has ended, a second period can be started via the timer circuit 7, in which the current state of the now interrupted game and/or the score of counters or similar are retained. In this second period, the game can then be continued by entering further payment methods at the point of the interrupted game and/or with the counter readings reached. If this second period is ended without the entry of further sufficient payment methods, the central control unit of the home video device 4 is reset to its initial position and the device can be used again from its initial state.

If it turns out that the current game system has lost its appeal, a different game system can be easily implanted into the home video device 4 by changing the storage unit 6. To do this, any existing fuse must be removed, the current storage unit 6 removed and a new storage unit 6 inserted.

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Claims (4)

• · Protection claims 1. Coin or token operated video game device which has at least the functional groups arranged in a housing - power supply unit, - Screen display unit and - Coin acceptance, checking and processing unit, and a control device for controlling and influencing the game in the form of a control key block, a joystick or a similar device characterized , that a conventional home video device (4) is provided in the housing (1) as a central control unit, which is connected on the input side to the control device (8) for controlling and influencing the game and on the output side to the screen (2) and that this home video device (4) is connected via a further input to the output of an additional timer circuit (7), which in turn is connected on the input side to the output of the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit (3). 2. Coin or token operated video game device according to claim 1, characterized , that the additional timer circuit (7) switches the central control unit of the home video device (4) into a ready-to-play state for a first predetermined period of time, the length of which depends on the entered stake, after insertion and acceptance of at least one sufficient stake into the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit (3), that after the expiry of this first predetermined period of time, the current, but interrupted game state is maintained for a second predetermined period of time, in which at least one further sufficient stake can be entered into the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit (3), so that the interrupted game can be continued and -2- that after unsuccessful expiration of this second predetermined time period, the central control unit of the home video device (4) can be reset to an initial position. 3. A coin or token operated video game device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized, that the housing (1), in which at least the home video device (4), the screen (2) and the coin acceptance, checking and processing unit (3) are arranged, has an additional opening on the front (5) via which a storage unit (6) of the home video device (4), in which the game system is stored, can be changed from the outside and without opening the housing. 4. Coin or token operated video game device according to at least one of the preceding claims, but in particular according to claim 3, characterized,
that the additional opening (5) in the housing (1) of the video game device through which the storage unit (6) can be exchanged with the game system is secured by means of a lockable cover.